JPH07320026A - Image data processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make an operator of each terminal device easily restore image data archived when some operation for the image data need to be done. CONSTITUTION:Images data which need not be operated at present among image data stored on a magnetic disk device 3 are transferred to a specific recording medium and archived (stored). Each terminal device 2 is so constituted that the image data archived on the recording medium can be restored onto the magnetic disk device 3. Namely, each terminal device 2 manages whether or not the image data are archived in the recording medium. Further, the terminal device 2 judges whether or not image data corresponding to a selected icon are archived in the recording medium when the icon is selected with a mouse, etc., so as to obtain the right to access a corresponding terminal device, and performs a specific restoring process when it is judged that the corresponding image data are in the archive on the recording medium.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data processing system, and more specifically, a plurality of terminal devices and at least one storage device are network-connected, and each terminal device reads image data from the storage device. The present invention relates to an image data processing system that performs a predetermined process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, image data handled by an image data processing system for printing and plate making is stored in a large-capacity storage device such as a magnetic disk. Since the magnetic disk can be accessed at high speed, necessary data can be taken out instantly. However, since the amount of image data handled in printing / engraving is enormous, when the number of image data increases, the magnetic disk becomes full soon. Therefore, in the conventional image data processing system, of the data stored in the magnetic disk, the data that is not necessary for the time being is moved to an inexpensive secondary storage medium such as an 8 mm magnetic tape or MOD (magneto-optical disk) and stored. (Archived), and when needed later, it was restored to the magnetic disk and restored (restored).

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional image data processing system for printing and plate making. In FIG. 16, a plurality of terminal devices 2 are connected via the network 1.
The magnetic disk device 3, the archive device 4, and the archive / restore dedicated processing device 5 are connected to each other.
Each terminal device 2 is composed of a workstation or the like, and processes the image data stored in the magnetic disk device 3. In addition to image data, the magnetic disk device 3 also stores program data for each terminal device 2. The archive device 4 is a device for storing (archiving) image data in an archive medium such as an 8 mm magnetic tape or MOD and reading the image data therefrom. The archive apparatus 4 preferably includes an autochanger having a holder capable of accommodating a plurality of archive media and automatically selecting the archive media accommodated in the holder. The archive / restore dedicated processing device 5 is a device that executes a process for archive / restore by controlling the magnetic disk device 3 and the archive device 4. That is, the archive / restore dedicated processing device 5 transfers image data that does not need to be processed for the time being from the magnetic disk device 3 to the archive device 4, and when necessary, transfers the image data from the archive device 4 to the magnetic disk device 3. return.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional image data processing system, the archive / restore dedicated processing device 5 is provided for performing the archive / restore processing. Then, the archive / restore dedicated processing device 5 is operated by a construction manager who manages the printing / platemaking process or a dedicated operator. Therefore, when the work manager or dedicated operator is absent for a long time,
The operator of each terminal device 2 cannot restore the image data, which causes a problem in the work.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to perform image data processing such that the operator of each terminal device can easily restore the image data when it is necessary to perform some work on the archived image data. It is to provide a system.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image data processing system in which a plurality of terminal devices and at least one storage device are network-connected, and each terminal device reads out image data from the storage device and performs a predetermined process, and stores image data stored in the storage device. Of which
The image data that does not need to be operated for the time being is transferred to a predetermined recording medium and archived (stored), and each terminal device restores (restores) the image data archived in the recording medium to the storage device. The restore means includes a display means and a job icon indicating a job of image data that can be handled in the system.
Display control means for displaying on the display means, operating means operated by an operator to input various instructions in relation to the display screen of the display means, and corresponding image data for each job icon are archived in a recording medium. When any one of the job icons is selected by the management means for managing whether or not there is a job icon, the management means determines whether or not the image data corresponding to the selected job icon is archived in the recording medium. And a restore process executing unit that executes a predetermined restore process when the corresponding image data is archived in the recording medium as a result of the determination by the determining unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of terminal devices and the storage device further include:
A reading device with an autochanger capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media and capable of selectively reading image data from each of the accommodated recording media is network-connected, and the management means is further archived. For the image data stored, the volume name of the recording medium in which the image data is archived is managed, and the restore processing execution means corresponds to the selected job icon when the icon is selected by the operation means. It is characterized in that the volume name of the recording medium that archives the image data is read from the management means, the recording medium that matches the read volume name is searched from the reading device with the autochanger, and the restore process is executed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the display control means, for image data archived in the recording medium, corresponds to an archive icon for identifying the recording medium. The job icon is displayed in the vicinity of the job icon to be deleted, and the archive icon is erased after the restoration process is completed.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, among the image data stored in the storage device, the image data which does not need to be operated for the time being is transferred to a predetermined recording medium and archived (stored). Then, each terminal device is provided with a restore unit and is configured to be able to restore (restore) the image data archived in the recording medium in the storage device. This restore means displays a job icon indicating a job of image data that can be handled in the system,
It manages whether or not the corresponding image data is archived in the recording medium for each of the displayed job icons. Further, when any one of the job icons is selected, the restore means determines whether or not the image data corresponding to the selected job icon is archived in the recording medium based on the content of the management, and determines. As a result of
When the corresponding image data is archived in the recording medium, a predetermined restoration process is executed. in this way,
According to the first aspect of the invention, the operator of each terminal device can easily perform the restore operation of the image data.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a reading device with an autochanger is network-connected to the plurality of terminal devices and the storage device. Also, for the archived image data, the restore means manages the volume name of the recording medium in which the image data is archived. Then, when the job icon is selected, the restore processing execution means recognizes the volume name of the recording medium managed for the selected job icon, and reads the recording medium that matches the recognized volume name with the autochanger. The device is searched and the restore process is executed. As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording medium that archives the image data to be restored is automatically retrieved from the reading device with the autochanger. To be simplified.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an archive that specifies the recording medium that archives the image data is displayed together with the corresponding job icon, and
Since the archive icon is deleted after the restoration is completed, the operability of the operator is improved.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing / platemaking image data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a plurality of terminal devices 2, a magnetic disk device 3, and an archive device 4 are connected via a network 1.
And are connected. As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The dedicated processing device 5 for archive / restore unlike the conventional system is not provided. That is, in this embodiment,
Each terminal device 2 is configured to perform archive / restore processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 2 in FIG. In FIG. 2, a CPU 22, a main memory 23, a frame buffer 24, and a keyboard 25 are connected via an internal bus 21.
The CPU 22 reads from the magnetic disk device 3,
A predetermined control operation is performed according to the program data stored in the main memory 23. The main memory 23 is a CPU
In addition to the program data of 22, various data necessary for the control operation are stored. The frame buffer 24 is CP
The display data given from U22 is stored. The display data stored in the frame buffer 24 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 26, and then the monitor device 2
It is displayed on 7. The keyboard 25 inputs various data and instructions to the CPU 22 based on the operation of the operator. Further, a mouse 28 as a pointing device is connected to the keyboard 22 as needed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the job information management file stored in the magnetic disk device 3 of FIG.
The job information management file has an entry for each job, which is a predetermined work unit when performing image processing, and each entry has a corresponding job name and whether or not the image data of that job is archived. An archive flag (in this embodiment, when the image data is archived, the archive flag is 1) indicating that or, and the volume name of the archive medium in which the image data of the job is archived are described. . An identifier EOD (End of Data) indicating the end of the data is described in the last line of the job information management file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the job information structure created by the CPU 22 of FIG. As described later, the CPU 22 extracts predetermined job information from the job information management file of FIG. 3 and stores it in the job information structure. Then, this job information structure is used during restore processing.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing the operation for the restore processing executed by each terminal device 2 in the above embodiment. 9 to 15 are diagrams showing display screens of the monitor device 27 during the restore processing. The restore process executed by each terminal device 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 15.

When the restore process in the terminal device 2 starts, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the monitor device 27. This initial screen is the group area GA
And a personal area PA. Group area G
In A, all job types that can be currently operated by this system are shown as job icons. Also,
For a job in which corresponding image data is archived, an archive icon indicating the type of archive medium (specifying the archive medium) is displayed on the right side of the job icon. For example, next to the job icon JI of JOB3, an archive icon AI is shown. On the other hand, in the personal area PA, a job icon of a job that can be operated by the corresponding terminal device 2, that is, an operator of the terminal device 2 has an access right is shown.

On the initial screen as described above, the operator of the terminal device 2 clicks the job icon of the job for which the access right is desired for the restore process, in the group area GA.
From the personal computer to the personal area PA (step S101 in FIG. 5). As is well known, in drag and drop, the mouse pointer is moved onto the job icon JI in the group area GA, and the mouse 2 is moved at that position.
8 button is pressed, the mouse pointer is moved (drag) into the personal area PA while pressing the button, and the button is released at that position (drop).
It is done by In FIG. 9, as an example, JOB3
The job icon of is being dragged and dropped. The CPU 22 manages the display position of the job icon in the group area GA, and recognizes the job name of the dragged and dropped job icon based on the display position.

Next, the CPU 22 acquires a job information structure as shown in FIG. 4 and stores it in the main memory 23 (step S102). Details of this step S102 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the CPU 22
Opens the job information management file (stored in the magnetic disk device 3) shown in FIG. 3 (step S201). Next, the CPU 22 reads information from the first entry in the job information management file, and determines whether or not the read information includes an identifier EOD (an identifier indicating the end of data) (step S2).
02). CPU2 when the identifier EOD is not included
2 compares the job name (JOB1 in FIG. 3) described in the first entry of the job information management file with the job name (JOB3) of the job icon dragged and dropped in step S101 described above. , And it is determined whether the two match (step S203). If they do not match, the CPU 22 skips the job information management file up to the line feed in order to read the next entry (step S204). Then CPU2
2 repeats the operations of steps S202 to S204, and the job information management file entry (FIG.
Then, the third entry) is detected.

When the entry of the job information management file including the target job name is detected in step S203, the CPU 22 detects the value of the archive flag and the volume name of the archive medium, together with the job name, in the detected job information management file. It is read from the file entry and stored in the job information structure shown in FIG. 4 (steps S205 to S207). Next, the CPU 22 indicates that the return status (a kind of flag (not shown)) in the main memory 23 is 0, which indicates the normal status.
Is set (step S208), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. On the other hand, if none of the entries in the job information management file includes the target job name, the CPU 22 detects the identifier EOD in step S202, and as shown in FIG. Is notified to the operator (step S209). Next, the CPU 22 sets the return status in the main memory 23 to -1 indicating the error status (step S21).
0), and returns to the main routine of FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the job information structure could be acquired in step S102 based on the contents of the return status set in step S208 or S210 (step S103). ). If the job information structure cannot be acquired (that is, if the return status is set to -1), the CPU 22 ends the operation without performing the restore process described later. On the other hand, when the job information structure can be acquired (that is, when the return status is set to 0), the CPU 22
Determines whether the archive flag in the job information structure is ON, that is, whether 1 is set (step S104). If the archive flag is not turned on (that is, 0 is set), the information of the target job is not archived, so the CPU 22 does not perform the restore process and drags in step S101 described above. The & dropped job icon (JOB3 in FIG. 9) is displayed in the personal area PA (step S109). In this case, the restore process is not performed, but the operator operating the terminal device 2 has acquired the access right to the image data of the job corresponding to the job icon.

On the other hand, when the archive flag in the job information structure is ON (that is, when 1 is set), the CPU 22 displays the restore processing start confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor device 27. Yes (step S105). At this time, the operator of the terminal device 2 presses the OK button B1 when desiring a restore process.
When not desired, the cancel button B2 is clicked with the mouse 28. Next, the CPU 22 determines which of the OK button B1 and the cancel button B2 has been clicked (step S106). If the cancel button B2 is clicked, the CPU 22 ends the operation without performing the restore process. On the other hand, when the OK button B2 is clicked, the CPU 22 executes restore processing (step S107).

Details of the restore processing in step S107 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the CPU 22
Reads the volume name of the archive medium from the job information structure (step S301). Next, CPU
22 determines whether or not the volume name of the archive medium exists in the job information structure (step S3).
02). If the archive medium volume name does not exist in the job information structure, the CPU 22 notifies the operator that the restoration has failed, as shown in FIG. 12 (step S303). Next, the CPU 22
Sets the return status to -1 (step S
304), and returns to the main routine of FIG.

On the other hand, when the volume name of the archive medium is present in the job information structure, the CPU 22 carries out the work of acquiring the archive medium matching the volume name from the autochanger in the archive device 4 (step S305). Details of step S305 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the CPU 22 first sets an initial value 1 to the counter n in the main memory 23 (step S401). Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the archive medium is set in the nth holder Dn in the autochanger (step S40).
2). If it is set, the CPU 22 mounts the archive medium of the holder Dn on the read head (step S403) and reads the volume name (step S404). It is assumed that the volume name of each archive medium is written at the beginning (header) of the archive medium.

Next, the CPU 22 causes the above step S40.
It is determined whether the volume name read from the archive medium in 4 matches the volume name of the archive medium stored in the job information structure (step S40).
5). If a volume name mismatch is detected,
The CPU 22 increments the count value of the counter n by 1 (step S406). Next, the CPU 22
Determines whether the count value of the counter n is less than or equal to the total number MAX of holders (step S407). if,
When the count value is less than or equal to MAX (when n ≦ MAX), the CPU 22 again performs the above steps S402 to S4.
The operation of 07 is repeated. In the process of this repetition,
If a match is found between the volume name of the archive medium mounted on the read head and the volume name of the archive medium stored in the job information structure, CP
The U22 sets the return status to 0 (step S408), and returns to the restore processing routine of FIG. On the other hand, if the target archive medium is not found from any holder in the autochanger and the count value of the counter n exceeds MAX (n> MAX),
The CPU 22 sets the return status to -1 (step S409), and returns to the restore processing routine of FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the target archive medium has been acquired from the autochanger based on the value of the return status set in step S408 or S409 (step S306). If the archive medium cannot be obtained (that is, if the return status is set to -1), the CPU 22 sets the target archive medium (stored in the job information structure as shown in FIG. 13). A request message for setting an archive medium having a volume name) in the archive device 4 is displayed on the monitor device 27 (step S307). Seeing this request message, the operator of the terminal device 2 sets the target archive medium in the archive device 4 (step S
308). At this time, the operator of the terminal device 2 uses the mouse 28 to set the OK button B1 when the target archive medium is actually set in the archive device 4, and the cancel button B2 when the target archive medium is not found and set. click. Next, the CPU 22 determines whether the OK button B1 or the cancel button B2 has been clicked (step S309). If the cancel button B2 is clicked, the CPU 22 notifies the operator that the restore process is stopped (step S31).
0). Next, the CPU 22 sets the return status to -1.
Is set (step S311), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. On the other hand, when the OK button B2 is clicked, the CPU 22 moves the read head of the autochanger in the archive device 4 to the set archive medium (step S312).

Next, the CPU 22 causes the archive device 4 to read the image data of the target job stored in the archive medium, and transfers the image data to the magnetic disk device 3 for storage (step S313). At this time, CPU2
2 displays on the monitor device 27 a guide message indicating the progress status of the restore processing as shown in FIG. This is because it takes time to transfer a large amount of image data, and the operator feels uneasy if there is no guidance display during the transfer. Next, the CPU 22 deletes the archive icon AI corresponding to the job for which the restore process is executed from the group area GA (step S3).
14). Next, the CPU 22 turns off the archive flag of the corresponding job in the job information management file of FIG. 3 (step S315). Next, the CPU 22
Sets the return status to 0 (step S3
16) and returns to the main routine of FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the restore processing has normally ended based on the value of the return status set in the above steps S304, S311, S316 (step S108). If the restore process has not ended normally (that is, if the return status is -1), C
The PU 22 ends the operation as it is. On the other hand, when the restore process ends normally (that is, when the return status is set to 0), the CPU 22 sets the job icon JI of the job for which the restore process is executed to the personal area as shown in FIG. It is displayed in the PA (step S109).

In the above embodiment, each terminal device 2
Although the image data stored in the magnetic disk device 3 provided in common is processed, the magnetic disk device may be provided for each terminal device. In this case, the image data archived in the archive medium is restored to the magnetic disk device provided for each terminal device.

Further, although the above embodiment is configured as an image data processing system for printing and plate making, the present invention is applicable to other image data processing systems (for example, a semiconductor mask pattern creating device, a computer graphic creating device, an architecture). It is also widely applicable to design drawing creation devices).

[0031]

According to the invention of claim 1, the image data archived in the recording medium can be restored to the storage device in the system by performing a simple operation in each terminal device. Therefore, the operator of each terminal device can freely restore the necessary image data even if there is no work manager or exclusive operator as in the past.
Does not interfere with work.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording medium that archives the image data to be restored can be automatically retrieved from the reading device with the autochanger, the restoration operation by the operator of each terminal device can be further improved. To be simplified.

According to the invention of claim 3, an archive icon for specifying the recording medium is displayed near the job icon for the archived image data, and this archive icon is erased after the restoration process is completed. Operability is further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of a terminal device 2 of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an example of a job information management file stored in the magnetic disk device 3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a job information structure created during a restore process in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a restore processing operation executed by each terminal device 2 in the system of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of processing executed in step S102 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the processing executed in step S107 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the processing executed in step S305 of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a first display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a second display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

11 is a diagram showing a third display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

12 is a diagram showing a fourth display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

13 is a diagram showing a fifth display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

14 is a diagram showing a sixth display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

15 is a diagram showing a seventh display screen of the monitor device 27 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image data processing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Network 2 ... Terminal Device 3 ... Magnetic Disk Device 4 ... Archive Device 21 ... Internal Bus 22 ... CPU 23 ... Main Memory 24 ... Frame Buffer 25 ... Keyboard 26 ... D / A Converter 27 ... Monitor Device 28 ... Mouse GA ... Group area PA ... Personal area JI ... Job icon AI ... Archive icon

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal devices and at least one storage device are network-connected, and each terminal device is an image data processing system for reading image data from the storage device and performing a predetermined process. Among the image data stored in, the image data that does not need to be operated for the time being is transferred to a predetermined recording medium and archived (stored), and each of the terminal devices stores the image data archived in the recording medium. A restore unit for restoring (re-storing) the image in the storage device, the restore unit displaying on the display unit a display unit and a job icon indicating a job of image data that can be handled in the system. Control means and operation means operated by an operator to input various instructions in relation to the display screen of the display means Management means for managing whether or not corresponding image data is archived in the recording medium for each of the job icons; and when any one of the job icons is selected by the operation means, the selected job icon is selected. Determination means for determining whether or not the image data corresponding to the job icon is archived in the recording medium based on the management content of the management means; and, as a result of the determination by the determination means, the corresponding image data is recorded in the recording medium. An image data processing system including a restore process executing unit that executes a predetermined restore process when archived in a medium. 2. An autochanger capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media in the plurality of terminal devices and the storage device, and capable of selectively reading image data from each of the accommodated recording media. The read-out device is network-connected, and the management means further manages, for the archived image data, the volume name of the recording medium in which the image data is archived, and the restore processing execution means. When a job icon is selected by the operation means, the volume name of the recording medium that archives the image data corresponding to the selected job icon is read from the management means and matches the read volume name. The recording medium is retrieved from the reading device with the autochanger and re-read. Executing a store process, the image data processing system according to claim 1. 3. The display control means, for image data archived in a recording medium, displays an archive icon for identifying the recording medium in the vicinity of the corresponding job icon, and after the restore processing is completed, the archive icon is displayed. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the icon is erased.